Darlington Hippodrome – until 9 February 2019
3***
Middle Ground Theatre Company return to Darlington with their latest offering of The Verdict, based on the book by Barry Reed. This version has been adapted for the stage by Margaret May Hobbs.
This is a show of two halves. The first half, which begins from the minute you enter the auditorium, sets the story. It’s a slow, laborious 70 minutes – which feels much longer. The second half, also 70 minutes is fast paced and slick and the time flies by so fast, with so much action.
In November 1976, Deborah Ann Doherty is admitted to hospital in labour with her third child. She suffered a cardiac arrest on the operating table during her cesarean and suffered severe brain damage. She is now in a permanent vegetative state in hospital. These are the facts of the case.
Frank Galvin (Ian Kelsey) is a down at heel Lawyer, an Ambulance chaser and a drunk. He has been engaged by Mrs McDaid (Anne Kavanagh) to get some justice for her daughter and her three grandchildren. In turning down an out of court settlement Galvin, takes on the might of the American Legal System, the Medical fraternity and the Catholic Church.
Frank’s mentor Moe Katz (Denis Lill) thinks Galvin should have taken the settlement but supports and helps the case when he sees Galvin is serious.
J. Edgar Concannon (Christopher Etteridge) is the defence lawyer, coaching the two doctors Daniel Crowley (Michael Lunney who also directs) and Rexford Towler (Paul Opacic). Concannon wears white suits, projecting an image of trust and honesty. Richard Walsh dual roles playing Judge Sweeney and Bishop Brophy.
Without giving too much away, the trial does lead to the verdict, after which the play is named. There are some twists and turns in the plot some of which you can see coming, others which are surprise. The second act, for me, contains the best of the show. The courtroom set is fabulous, the dialogue slick, the acting outstanding. It’s just a pity the first act fails to provide the interest of the second.